Loading...
Minutes 08-13-09 MINUTES OF THE CEMETERY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009, at 6:00 P.M. IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Dale "Harry" Hatch, Chair Janet Prainito, Secretary Bonnie Glinski Tom Balfe, Parks Manager Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent Scott Wahlin, Manager, Golf Maintenance ABSENT: Karilyn Norem-Hohner, Vice Chair 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. 2. Attendance Secretary Prainito called the roll. Chair Hatch advised Mr. Ferazzoli, of Ferazzoli & Sons would join the meeting as they had a bench they wanted to show the Board. 3. Agenda Approval Tom Balfe, Parks Manager, added the following: Unfinished Business, Item B - Mr. Ferazzoli and Benches Unfinished Business, Item E - Status Report of the Fountain Motion Ms. Glinski moved to approve the agenda as amended. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 4. Approval of Minutes of July 9, 2009 Motion Ms. Glinski moved to approve the minutes as presented. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 5. Receipt of Revenue/Expense Sheets - June 2009 1 Meeting Minutes Cemetery Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 13, 2009 Motion Ms. Glinski moved to accept the report. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 6. Receipt of Sales Reports - July 2009 Motion Secretary Prainito moved to approve. Ms. Glinski seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 7. Unfinished Business A. Parks Division Reports - April and July 2009 Mr. Balfe read the reports for the months of April and July as contained in the meeting materials. Motion Secretary Prainito moved to accept both reports for April and July. Ms. Glinski seconded the motion that unanimously passed. D. Resodding of the Cemetery - Presentation by Scott Wahlin (Heard out of Order) Scott Wahlin, Golf Maintenance Manager at The Links, was present. Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent, presented Mr. Wahlin's credentials. The Links Golf Course was recently recognized by Golf DiQest as being the number one municipal golf course in the State of Florida. Mr. Wahlin had numerous and impressive credentials in the field of Golf Course maintenance. He has a degree in Turf Management, Agriculture, and held positions in many golf and agricultural associations. She noted Mr. Wahlin's nickname was "Dr. Sod." Mr. Wahlin explained he learned of the issue at the Cemetery and was told the issue was irrigation; the well water was a problem. He explained when irrigation was the issue, it would be difficult for any grass to be aggressive and produce a good quality sod, or turf. Now the Cemetery has reclaimed water and watering was not an issue. At a Commission meeting, he learned the Board was considering resodding the cemetery, with a suggestion from one of the Commissioners to use Empire Zoysia grass. He explained while it was a great alternative, the most economical way to improve the grass was to try to treat the grass that presently exists. Mr. Wahlin noted there was plenty of St. Augustine grass at the Cemetery. He explained the Cemetery was precluded in the past from aggressively treating the weeds because of the water issue. It was his opinion the best way to handle the matter was to maintain what they had and begin a good weed program. If Empire Zoysia grass were used, the Board would have to treat for some insects and diseases they do not presently have to treat for. A chemical used on St. Augustine grass, needing two applications per year would cost about $100 per year. The application would go a long way towards weed control. There was also a 2 Meeting Minutes Cemetery Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 13, 2009 herbicide with a fertilizer that would go a long way toward removing the weeds as well. He suggested embarking on a weed control program and reevaluating the matter in about a year. Results would be apparent fairly soon. The park would not be completely weed free in a year, and still not in two years, but the park would be very acceptable within the first year, and results would be noticeable after six months. Mr. Wahlin explained some of the treatments were effective but slow acting. It kills the weed over such a long period of time, the weed never has the chance to recover. He reiterated results would be visible in six months. One of two applications per year of Atrazine could be made October 1, 2009, and other applications could be made between now and April. The Board discussed Mr. Wahlin's suggestion seemed the sensible way to go as resodding the entire Cemetery was very expensive. Mr. Balfe advised he inspected the area along with Ms. Rivers and noted there were large areas of grass that were completely killed. Removing the sod in those large areas and resodding some small sections in the Cemetery could be effective. Mr. Wahlin also noted St. Augustine grass was located throughout the area, and there may be some areas with bare spots. He urged the Board not to panic, as the St. Augustine grass would move in there. By using the suggestion made, the Board could always go back and move forward with sodding the entire area at a later time. Motion Ms. Glinski moved they go ahead with the application of Atrazine and the weed control and do not resod the Cemetery at this time and in six months re-evaluate it. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. B. Status report regarding engraving charges for benches at the cemetery (Tabled) Mario Ferazzoli, Ferazzoli & Son, Inc., explained he discussed benches at the Cemetery with Mr. Balfe. He fabricated one which he brought with him and was outside. He invited the members to view the bench which was in his truck, and he explained the bench was made from a different type of stone. He advised they can install one bench at no cost to the City, and as the benches were ordered, they would fabricate and install them. The Board recessed at 6:21 p.m. to view the bench, and would reserve comment until the meeting reconvened. The meeting reconvened at 6:28 p.rn. Mr. Ferazzoli explained the bench was made of limestone, which was much cooler than granite. He explained the limestone was in the marble family and was quarried the same way. The bench would be cleaned, sealed and would need to be resealed about every three years. He noted the product was better than granite and he inquired about the granite at Bicentennial Park, which was only there since November. He commented since granite was comprised of tiny stones, there are tiny holes that show up, which should not be the case with the limestone. The benches, in the product Mr. Ferazzoli had, could be engraved by either another vendor or his company. There was concern the product could chip or would chip during engraving. Mr. Ferazzoli offered to bring an engraved piece back to the Board. He explained the engraving process was the same regardless of the material, but pointed out it was easier to chip a harder surface than the limestone. 3 Meeting Minutes Cemetery Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 13, 2009 Mr. Balfe inquired if it was possible to NOT permanently attach the bench to the concrete. He explained there are occasions where they may have to move the benches. Mr. Ferazzoli responded if so, three individuals would be needed to move it. Mr. Balfe inquired if it was possible to fill the leg with concrete and have the pin protrude four to six inches, and then perhaps drill a hole in the patio area. He explained it did not matter if the leg was anchored to the seat, rather they would need a way to lift the bench and not be permanently anchored to the patio area. Mr. Ferazzoli indicated he could arrange something for that. Mr. Balfe also inquired if it was possible for the concrete to leach through the limestone seams in the bench legs. Mr. Ferazzoli responded that happens in granite, not with the limestone product. Mr. Balfe suggested Mr. Ferazzoli review the colors in the marble crypts at the Mausoleum to try to match something as the present sample appeared light. Mr. Ferazzoli agreed to provide additional color samples to Mr. Balfe to bring to the Board. It was noted Mr. Ferazzoli had agreed to provide a price to Mr. Balfe for the Board to consider at its next meeting. Accordingly, a decision would be made then. The benches would be installed in the wide areas between the Mausoleum pillars. It was noted there was nothing to prevent the Board from allowing benches to be placed throughout the Cemetery as opposed to only near the Mausoleum. If doing so, the mowing expenses would increase. There were no insurance or engineering requirements needed to place the benches at the Cemetery. There had been prior discussion of the Cemetery Board purchasing the benches and then individuals would purchase them from the Cemetery. They had also discussed buying 10 benches at a time; however, Mr. Ferazzoli indicated it was senseless to do so. He would fabricate each bench when ordered and then install them. Chair Hatch thanked Mr. Ferazzoli for his time. C. Review and approve quotes for new lift for Boynton Beach Mausoleum Mr. Balfe requested this item be tabled to the next meeting. He advised they were looking for vendors and were attempting to locate the company they originally purChased the lift from to see if they could maintain the equipment. The base price of a lift was $11,000 without any of the needed features. He advised they preferred to locate someone to maintain the equipment. The lift itself was still in good shape; however, some of the other apparatus was starting to fail. The equipment was still operational, but needed replacement parts and maintenance. Motion Secretary Prainito moved to table to the next meeting. Ms. Glinski seconded the motion that unanimously passed. D. Status Report of the Fountain Mr. Balfe reported the Fountain was installed and it looked good. There were still plantings that needed to be installed around it and the installation passed all needed inspections. The automatic float valve was purchased and needed to be connected to the irrigation system. The City electrician would install the electric to the fountain, two up-lights on the front pillars, the 4 Meeting Minutes Cemetery Board Boynton Beach, Florida August13,2009 pump for the fountain and a few low-level lights on the fountain. Once the improvements were made and the fountain was operational, the fountain should be a tranquil addition. Mr. Balfe requested revisiting Item B; however, when an item was tabled it should not be revisited. Chair Hatch indicated he would not object to hearing Mr. Balfe's comments. Mr. Balfe advised he spoke to a vendor regarding a $15 charge for an emblem so long as it wasn't something that was very large. 8. New Business A. Discuss prices for crypts and niches at Boynton Beach Mausoleum. (Tabled) Ms. Rivers distributed information, which was taken from other cemeteries. The members inquired what a tandem crypt was. Mr. Balfe explained a double crypt was also known as a True Companion, which was three-feet wide and 18-feet long, accommodating two caskets head to head or toe to toe A tandem was six-feet wide and eight or nine-feet deep with a wall that separates the casket, but it was one crypt front. Ms. Rivers explained staff took the highest prices on the Tandem and made rows C and B the highest priced crypts, rows A and F the lowest cost, and D and E were averaged between the highest and lowest cost per level. The most popular levels were Band C. She noted they did not have anything to sell at the moment. Chair Hatch preferred to have Ms. Norem-Hohner present for the discussion. Motion Ms. Glinski moved to table this item to the next meeting in order for Ms. Norem-Hohner to be present. Secretary Prainito agreed. B. Discuss and make recommendation to the City Commission regarding a transfer fee for crypts and niches at Boynton Beach Mausoleum. Chair Hatch thought this item was also an item that should be tabled until Ms. Norem-Hohner was present. Secretary Prainito explained the item was tabled due to the pending lawsuit. She had spoken with the Legal Department about the suit and she had discussed transfer fees with one of the City Attornies but had not heard back on either issue. Ms. Rivers explained it was her understanding it would be at least one year before there would be movement on the lawsuit. To date, there had been some action and some court appearances made. She clarified there were two suits: one filed by the City and the second from the vendor against the City. The suit pertaining to records, the City prevailed and there were 40 boxes of records delivered to the City. The lawsuit against the City had some portions of it denied, which were being appealed. Secretary Prainito suggested moving the item to Future Agenda Items because it would be some time before there would be a formal outcome. There were no objections noted. C. Approve the request of William Gurda to transfer Lots 71 A & B, Block Y, Boynton Beach Memorial park to Kathleen Gillan. (All paperwork in order.) 5 Meeting Minutes Cemetery Board Boynton Beach, Florida August13,2009 Motion Ms. Glinski moved to approve. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 9. Other None. 10. Future Agenda Items A. City Attorney to review Code section on the Cemetery for the purpose of updating archaic language, and add definitions. 11. Adjournment Motion Ms. Glinski moved to adjourn. Secretary Prainito seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. f!~/~f'i-L ClOJJ.I Recording Secretary d' Catherine Cherry 081709 6